SIDE 2027 is a community-owned annual gathering where institutions, agencies, networks and funders work out how identity, connectivity, repositories and research services should be built, run and paid for together.
In many institutions across Nigeria's tertiary and research ecosystem, identity systems, repositories and connectivity arrangements are set up and paid for one campus at a time. Each decision makes sense on its own. Added together, they mean duplicated cost, systems that cannot talk to each other, and very little shared bargaining power.
SIDE is meant to change that conversation. It brings the people who make these decisions into one room, once a year, to agree what should be shared, who should look after it, and how it keeps running after the first grant is spent.
These are the themes we expect to anchor the programme. The full agenda will be published here as sessions are confirmed.
SIDE works only if the people who decide, the people who run the systems and the people who fund them sit together.
SIDE 2027 is convened by Eko-Konnect as Founding Convener. Eko-Konnect brings together Nigeria's research and education community and provides shared digital infrastructure and identity platforms for it.
The word “Founding” is deliberate. The convening is meant to belong to the sector, and the plan is for it to move into shared, recognised stewardship as national and regional partners join and take up their roles.
This site will grow with the convening. Dates, venue, programme, speakers, registration and the list of partners will be added here as they are confirmed.
SIDE 2027 is being built with its partners, not just funded by them. Early partners help shape the programme and the way the convening is governed.
For partnership, sponsorship or general enquiries, and to be told when registration opens.